To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much lottery funding was awarded to projects in Wirral South constituency in 2007-08. (203704)

Approximately £349,000 was awarded in Wirral South during 2007-08. This figure is derived from the Department’s Lottery Grants Database, which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors and is searchable at :

www.lottery.culture.gov.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Big Lottery Fund’s outreach strategy in Wirral; and if he will make a statement. (203707)

No assessment has been made by DCMS on the effectiveness of the Big Lottery Fund’s outreach strategy in Wirral. This is an internal operational matter for the Big Lottery Fund.

I have asked Peter Wanless, chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund, to write to my hon. Friend on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the ratio of lottery funding applications to grants in the last five years in Wirral South constituency; and if he will make a statement. (203831)

My Department does not collect data on the number of applications made to lottery distributing bodies and could obtain the information only at disproportionate cost, so no such estimate has been made. All lottery distributors are directed to make guidance on how to apply for lottery funds widely available.